"The River" by Garth Brooks
What do I want to do with my life? I am fairly sure that my calling is to become an Officer of Marines. I will have to be physically fit and will have to live exemplary morals. The first step to becoming a marine officer is doing good in high school so that I can earn a bachelor's degree, a requirement to become an officer. I will then need to earn a commission through one of many routes. After earning a commission I will officially be an Officer of Marines but that is only the start of the journey. Before I receive orders I will go through at least a year of training which I beleieve will prove to be one of the roughest parts of the river. I know that the whole process will be physically challenging but I will find new limits for my body through toughness

"No Retreat, No Surrender" by Bruce Springsteen
I will never surrender my religion. When I'm feeling philosphical or feelig blue, I can always look at my religion. God is always there when you aren't sure of something or when you have made a big mistake. There is no time you cannot turn to religion because noone can stop you in America. He is there even when nothing else in the world is

"School Days" by Chuck Berry
School this year was okay but for the most part was just waiting it out until high school. I received Home Economics for an elective the first semester which was not my first choice. It seemed like their was always a project we were suposed to be working on. Math provided everyone with endless home work and history day took up at least half of the school year although I was able to go to the state level. Again this year the academies split me apart from most of my trusted friends leaving me with few people to hang out with during lunch. I think I've found that I will most likely have the same amount or more home work at Whitney but in talking to high school students there will definitely be more opportunity for extra curriculars at the next level and more freedom, along with more responsibilty. If there is one thing that I have learned about myself this year it is that I am less shy than I thought previously or that I have possibly become less shy.

How "We Weren't Born to Follow," composed and performed by Bon Jovi, represents America today

Song Url: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF3D2oiy6YA
lyrics: http://www.elyrics.net/read/b/bon-jovi-lyrics/we-weren_t-born-to-follow-lyrics.html
            The song "We Weren't Born to Follow" is very representative of current American culture because of it's two distinct themes. The first theme is if you aren't having the best of luck, don't give up and everything will pan out tomorrow. Much of America is using this mindset because they have been hit hard by the recession. Losses of housing, vehicles, and other assets are common, even 2 years after the start of the recession. Many have to work multiple jobs solely to feed their family, and this song talks about "the hopeless and the hungry."

             The next theme of the song is to "stand up for what you believe." This part represents many who haven't been hit as hard by the recession. This second theme is often interpreted as helping people in need, as this is how Bon Jovi meant it. There are many people in need right now and not only in America. With all of the natural disasters, revolutions, and diseases in the news, many people want to help out financially and with their own man hours. Additionally though, it can be perceived as a call to voice your opinion by becoming active in protests and talking at other public events. There are people of all ages who do this in the United States today.